Machine to select, segregate, and choose addressograph frames



M 1940- I -s.o. KRIEGER 2.200.751

MACHINE TO SELECT, SEGREGATE, AND CHOOSE ADDEESSOGRAPH FRAMES Filed Feb. '14, 1938 ATTORNEYS.

Patented May 14, 1940 PATENT OFFICE MACHINE T sELEor, SEGREGATE, AND CHOOSE ADDRESSOGRAPH FRAMES Stewart Ormsby Krieger, Olympia, Wash, assignor to Will M. Derig Application February 14, 1938, Serial No. 190,468

Claims.

This invention relates to a device, to be known as a Selektograf, used for the purpose of increasing the selectivity of Addressograph machines. It attaches to the machine but permits the normal operation of the machine with or without the use of the attachment.

Briefly and simply stated, an Addressograph is a machine used for thepurpose of imprinting names or data on paper. This is done by embossing on soft metal plates the name, address, etc. of the subject desired or other memoranda and the placing of this plate in a metal frame. The frames are in turn placed in a magazine in the Addressograph machine and move automatically to a position under an inked ribbon at which point an arm with a rubber roller is drawn across the frame causing the embossed letters or figures to reproduce on paper held in a proper position be tween plate and roller.

This invention deals only with the selection of the frames carrying the embossed plates, now done by the machine, with limitations, through a device known as a selector which causes to be printed, or not to be printed, only those frames that are desired. This invention, hereinafter referred to as a Selektograf, increases, through novel mechanism, this element of selectivity.

There are five (5) figures shown in the attached drawing.

Figure 1 shows the selector with an Addresso graph plate (Fig. 2) in position to be either selected or rejected. The heavy lines show all of the parts of this invention and the light lines show the parts of the original machine.

Figure 2 shows an Addressograph frame with selector tabs 20 in position which is the same as frame 2| in Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows the selector pin cross section of this invention corresponding to parts I, 2, 3, 4, 5, B, and 1 in Figure Figure 4 parts 22, 3 and 4 showthe selector pin cross section in position as in the original machine. Parts 3 and 4 of this figure are the same as parts 3 and 4 in Figure 1.

Figure 5 shows one of the rocker arms with spring attached and is the same as part 9 in Figure 1.

Frames with selector tabs in place move under the selector plate (Fig. 1, part ill) to the position as shown in Figure 1. During each cycle of the machine, the entire selector assembly (Fig. 1, part II), pivoted at points A, moves causing the selector bar and assembly of pins to travel in a downward arc, and the distance of this downward arc determines whether or not the printing mechanism will be actuated when frame 2| (Fig. 1) moves, with the next cycle of the machine, to the printing position. This invention does not concern the mechanism which does or does not cause the machine to print but only with 5 the controlling distance of travel of the selector assembly which in turn controls such mechanism. r

The normal method of setting and using the selector is to place in selector bar 3 (Fig. 1) '10 selector pins 22 (Fig. 4). The selector bar is drilled with 24 holes to accommodate the pins, is slotted and pivoted at point B and removable by releasing latch l5 (Fig. 1). The pins placed in the selector bar are solid and of two lengths. By placinga short pin as shown in Figure 4, the selector assembly is allowed to move downward a suflicient distance to cause the machine to print, but if the longer pin is used the motion downward will be so limited that the machine will not print during the next cycle. Obviously the distance downward moved by the selector assembly can be controlled by one or more of these pins. Thus, if it were desired to print a plate with tabs in position as shown in Fig. 1, all that 2:5

would benecessary would be to place four of the shorter pins in the holes corresponding to the positions shown in Figure l, and the longer pins in the remaining 20 holes. Then when the frame entered the selecting position a frame containing any one or all of the 4 tabs would cause the machine to act positively. Where this invention differs is that by the use of the mechanism shown, any combination of 24 tabs can be used. Thus if a classification of data required further selectivity the use of combinations can be employed. If we call the four tabs in Figure 1 Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4 there are 14 combinations to choose from, whereas with the ma chine as at present set up there are but four different choices. As an example and illustrated on the accompanying drawing, the choices that can be used on this invention on the four places shown are-4, 2, 3, 4, l-2, l 3, [-4, 23, 24, 34, z 3, |-2 4, 2-3-4 and 2- s 4 or four- 5 teen possible selections against only four now possible. Four numbers are used here for example only. This invention permits the use of any combination of twenty-four numbers, making the possible number of selections over 15,000,000. Figure 1 shows the invention set to allow the selector assembly to move through an are downwardly a sufficient distance to allow the machine to print only frames carrying the combination l-2-3--4. Frames not carrying only those four tabs will not print. I p

This is accomplished first by using drilled pins 2 (Fig. 3) which are of the shorter length. These pins are placed in the selector bar 3 (Fig. 3) in the positions desired, in the drawing these being 4 contiguous holes in the center of the bar. Pins i (Fig. 3) having collar 1 (Fig. 3) extend downwardly through pins 2 and upward through holes drilled in top of selector assembly 4 (Fig. 3) thence upward through guide 6 (Fig. 3). Rocker arms (Fig. 5) are placed on shaft l5 (Fig. 1) and held in place by collars l6. Springs (Fig. 3, No. 5, Fig. 1, No. 5 and Fig. 5, No. l2) are used to return pins I (Fig. 3) and rocker arms (Fig. 5 and Fig. 1, part 9 to position. Due to the collective force of these small springs and in order to operate the device to capacity, it 'is necessary to replace an internal spring directly under point C of part II (Fig. l).with one of sufficient tension to counteract the collective force of the small springs. It is through this spring that the actuating force is transmitted causing the as sembly to move in an arc. As the selector assembly starts downward, pins i (Fig. 1.) contact the selector tabs causing pins l to raise the rocker arms at C and conversely to lower them at D. This causes bar l8, which is pivoted at E, to drop, allowing the point 'of bar Hi to drop below notched quadrant l9 at F so that the selector assembly can move downward its full distance allowing the plate to print on the next cycle of the machine. If but 3 of the tabs were on the frame 2! (Fig. 1) one of the rocker arms 9 (Fig. 1) would not rise at point C or lower at point D whichwould not permit bar 18 to drop. Consequently, at point F bar i8 would engage in quadrant l9 preventing the machine from printing when the frame moves into the printing position. By the changing of the rocker arms (Fig. 5) one or any combination of any of the numbers from 1 to 24 can be selected.

I claim:

1. In a machine of the character described, having a driving means operable to effect intermittent advancement of tab equipped printing frames in succession through one or more stations to a printing station, a platen operable by said means in accordance with the disposition of said printing frames at the printing station to coact therewith to effect a printing operation, and a selector mechanism operable under control of the tab equipped printing frames to control the functional operations of theplaten; said selector mechanism comprising a frame that is adapted to be moved by the driving means through certain initial and final movements toward each printing frame while the latter is disposed at one of the stations, a movable latch member for normally limiting the downward travel of the selector frame to its initial movement, and feeler devices on the selector frame adapted to be actuated incident to the initial movement of the selector frame by tabs on the printing frames to move the said latch to a release position, thus to allow movement of thehas means for yieldingly retaining it against depression, and wherein the latch releasemeans is operable only upon the depression of all pins employed in the frame at any one time.

3. A mechanism as. recited in claim 1 wherein the selector frame is pivotally movable and is adapted to mount feeler pins spaced rela tionship thereacross in the same relationship as the printing frames are adapted to mount tabs thereon, wherein each pin employed is yieldingly held in an extended position, and the latch device is functionally actuated only by depression of all pins used at any one time.

l. A machine as recited in claim 1 wherein the selector frame is pivotally mounted and extends transversely of the direction of travel of the tab equipped frames and is adapted to mount feeler devices in spaced relationship thereacross in the same relationship as the printing frames are adapted to mount tabs thereon, and wherein the feeler pins each actuate a lever which operates to support the latch against release and wherein all pins must be depressed and. all levers actuated to effect the release of the latch. device.

5. In amachine of the character described, having a driving means operable to effect an in termittentadvancement of tab. equipped printing frames in succession through one or more stations to a printing position, and having a platen and means to cause the platen to functionally coact with the frames, as they reach the printing position to effect a printing operation thereby; a selector mechanism comprising a frame mounted for movement through a definite interval toward each printing frame prior to the frame reaching the printing position, and devices controlled by 7 movement of the frame through its full interval to cause the functional actuations of the platen, a latch device adapted to normally restrict movements of the frame to an initial interval less than its full interval of travel, a plurality of 

